(A) Any animal held at the Animal Control Shelter for the prescribed period and not reclaimed by its owner may be released for adoption, based upon its suitability, as determined by the Animal Control Officer.
(B) Any person desiring to adopt an animal may do so upon paying the prescribed fees and acceptance of the established conditions of adoption. The Animal Control Officer will have the discretion to determine if the animal and the owner are suitable for the proposed adoption.
(1) The Animal Control Officer will be responsible for transporting the adopted animal to the veterinarian once the fee has been collected.
(2) If the veterinarian determines the animal to be unfit for sterilization and vaccination, the owner will have the option to return it to the Animal Shelter for a complete refund or to have the veterinarian reschedule the animal for the above services.
(a) If the veterinarian reschedules the animal, it will be the adopting party's responsibility to advise the Animal Control Officer of the amended date(s) within 72 hours. The adopting party may take possession of the animal at that time.
(b) It will be the adopting party's responsibility to transport the animal to the veterinarian facility for any further treatment within 30 days.
(c) If the veterinarian postpones treatment for more than 30 days, the veterinarian must contact the Animal Control Officer for approval.
(3) The adopting party shall reclaim the animal following the surgery as directed. Failure to comply will result in a charge for extra board fees to the adopting party and unclaimed animals may be declared abandoned.
(4) All city residents will be required to purchase a city dog license for all dogs four months of age and older at the time of the adoption.
(5) Failure to comply with this section shall be a violation and may result in court action being initiated, and sanctions to include but not limited to the return of the adopted animal to the shelter and/or forfeiture of all fees collected by the city.
(C) A person adopting an animal, other than a dog or cat, shall pay a non-refundable adoption fee as established by fee schedule.
('76 Code, § 6-1-10) (Ord. 786, passed 9-24-87; Am. Ord. 936, passed 10-28-93; Am. Ord. 938, passed 2-24-94; Am. Ord. 1030, passed 3-27-97; Am. Ord. 1077, passed 10-28-98; Am. Ord. 2005-022, passed 11-11-05; Am. Ord. 2010-001, passed 1-14-10)